$2 Million in Stolen Oilfield Pumpjacks Recovered

LEA COUNTY, N.M. — Authorities have recovered more than $2 million in stolen oilfield equipment and arrested a suspect in a multi-state investigation involving federal and local law enforcement.

On June 9, 2025, Jonathan Allen Stamper, 41, was arrested in Norman, Oklahoma, and extradited to the Lea County Detention Center. He faces multiple felony charges in connection to the theft of 11 pumpjacks from federal and private oil sites in Lea and Eddy counties in New Mexico.

The joint investigation was launched Nov. 14, 2024, by a newly formed Oilfield Task Force made up of the Lea County Sheriff’s Office, Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Bureau of Land Management special agents. The probe began after Saguaro Petroleum reported five pumpjacks stolen from federal well sites, halting oil production and resulting in losses exceeding $1 million. Southwest Royalties Inc. later reported the theft of six more units from Eddy County, also valued at more than $1 million.

Investigators determined that Stamper, owner of Stampede Lift Solutions, arranged for the stolen equipment to be transported under false pretenses. Using 7C Logistic Services, LLC, Stamper allegedly directed Triple Express Trucking to haul the stolen units. Nine were sold to Tim Snelson’s Pumping Unit in Midland, Texas, and two were delivered to Stampede Lift Solutions in Lindsay, Oklahoma. Vehicles involved had makeshift “Stampede” signage taped to the doors.

The investigation identified the following businesses as victims:

• 7C Logistic Services, LLC

• Triple Express Trucking

• Tim Snelson’s Pumping Unit

• Saguaro Petroleum

• Southwest Royalties Inc.

The fraudulent operation caused more than $800,000 in losses to transportation and broker services, forcing one business to shut down. Authorities have recovered nine of the eleven stolen pumpjacks.

Stamper faces the following charges in Lea County:

• Five counts of larceny over $20,000 (second-degree felony)

• One count of conspiracy (third-degree felony)

• Five counts of criminal damage to property (fourth-degree felony)

On June 12, 2025, the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office also issued an arrest warrant charging Stamper with:

• Six counts of larceny over $20,000

• One count of conspiracy

• Six counts of criminal damage to property

The case remains active. Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator Fleetwood at 575-263-7403, the Lea County Sheriff’s Office at 575-396-3611, or Lea County Crime Stoppers at 575-396-8005.